Oregon election results on Measure 116

The 2023 Oregon Legislature sent Measure 116 to voters to decide whether to create an independent commission to determine the salaries of statewide elected officials, legislators and district attorneys.

The measure would establish Independent Public Service Compensation Commissionwhich would set the salaries of the governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, attorney general, commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industry, Oregon Supreme Court justices, district attorneys and legislators.

Lobbyists, immediate family members and government officials and employees will be barred from serving on the commission.

Independent commissions provide wage information in 21 other states, according to the National Conference on State Legislatures.

Legislators supporting the measure said establishing the commission would be a step toward addressing wage changes instead of asking elected officials to set their salaries.

Oregon previously had a commission appointed by elected officials tasked with making salary recommendations for elected officials. It recommended wage increases in 2008, but state lawmakers did not pass any of them.

The commission was largely inactive and was eventually disbanded in 2017.

Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and capital issues. Get to her at[email protected] or on Twitter @DianneLugo